Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)- The #12 University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons men's hockey team hosted the #15 Hamline University hockey team, on Thursday, November 12^th.  The Falcons won over the Pipers in a fierce battle that ended, 3-1.

Senior Tanner Milliron is this season's starter in net for the Falcons.  Milliron stopped an amazing 27 of the 28 shots the Pipers were able to put on net.

The goal scorers for the Falcons were Brian Drapluk, Ryan Doner, and again Brian Drapluk.

The Falcons stepped onto the ice on fire, they set the pace, the intensity and the Pipers had no choice but to meet them.  First penalty was on Hamline player #6 for hooking, given two minutes at 3:54.  As the period runs on, there were no goals scored from either team.  Another penalty was assessed at 6:35.  At this point, the Pipers really began to push for a goal, but the Falcons met them blow for blow and shot for shot.  The Falcons really settled into their game in the last five minutes and mastered the coverage on the ice.  Shots this period were River Falls 8 and Hamline 6. 

The second period started with a Hamline player being put into the penalty box for 5 minutes.  At 2:39, on a power play, the Falcons scored.  Brian Drapluk was assisted by Eddie Matsushima.  Despite how hard the Pipers pushed for a goal and attempting to get back, the Falcons fiercely defended their lead.  Milliron stopped shot after shot.  The second goal came on a power play.  The goal was made by Ryan Doner, unassisted.  Falcons had a two goal cushion, so Hamline pushed for a comeback.  It seemed like they would get their wish, when one of the Falcons got a penalty.  However, on a breakaway and one man down, the Falcons scored and pushed the lead to 3-0.  This goal was again made by Brian Drapluk assisted by Zach Schrotenboer and Eddie Matsushima.  Unfortunately not a minute later, on the same power play, Hamline came back with a goal.  The second period ended with the score being 3-1, shots being River Falls 14, Hamline 9.

The third period was a roller coaster of excitement and lulls in the action.  The peaks had the audience on their feet, ready for the next shot on net, waiting on baited breath.  With about 5 minutes left, the Pipers tried to put another man on the ice and took their goalie off to do so.  Despite many attempts, the Falcons were unable to get another goal.  The final score was 3-1, shots were River Falls 6 and Hamline 13.

Doner led the Falcons with four shots on goal and right behind him with three shots was Schrotenboer.  All 4 goals were scored on the 5 power plays and 12 penalties totaling 46 minutes. 
 
Head Coach Steve Freeman's, thoughts on the game:  "…It was a good bounce back for us.  We didn't play well last Saturday and we came out and established ourselves a little better physically than we have been playing.  Our balance on the rink as far as positioning, was a lot better than it has been.  And this was a pretty high scoring team so to be able to kinda tighten the screws on them and keep them in check meant a lot.  We played a really strong defensive game.  Tanner has been playing decent, but he really played well tonight.  He's always been our ace in the hole as goal tender, and finally our special teams.  We got a couple power play goals and we did an excellent job killing penalties.  Especially on the last five minute power play they had against us.  We are really pleased, I think we took a step tonight, but since we have another game coming up Saturday night, we can't pat ourselves on the back too much."
 
We also managed to snag a quick thought from one of the captains of the team, player #27, Christian George, about his thoughts on the game and how the team is progressing in general.  "It was a good bounce back from this past Saturday when we did not quite get the results we wanted.  We had a good week in practice, touched up on some of the things we need to do on the ice, which was evident today.  Kind of a slow first, but then really opened it up and got into our game in the second and played really well with our special teams.  We started the third period well and really shut them down and hopefully this will roll over into Saturday."
 
The Falcons (3-1-1) are back in action on Saturday, November 14^th at Augsburg College.  The Falcons are set to face off against the Auggies (1-3-0).  The puck-drop is set for 7:30 P.M.